[jrm27]

Hi all,
 
I've got a post a few topics down about needing a 2.1 setup for my computer.
 
I'm researching through a bunch of suggestions and articles, and I'm interested in a pieced-together solution.  I like the look and the size of the audioengine a2.  Deskspace is at a premium for a while and I think something small like that would be great.  Some larger monitors would be great, but the smaller size of the a2 is intriguing.  I would imagine that speakers of that size could benefit from a sub.  As $200 is about where I need my budget to be, I'm thinking that a budget friendly sub might be the Dayton Audio SUB-800.  I'm thinking that I might have a very passable and compact system put together with these two things?
 
How do you think these might play together?  Do I need something like a t-amp to run all this together?  Or would it be best just to run the source signal to the sub and then hook up the Audioengines to the sub?
 
I do wish I had a control pod or something so i could control master volume without using my computer, or something that I could plug my inears into as well.  Are there items that I could add on that would give me that kind of control/interface?
 
-jon

 

[cel4145]

With the Audioengine A2 and Dayton sub combined, you are pushing $300 on a budget. With A2, you are sacrificing SQ with those small drivers. I would suggest putting it all together for better speakers if you can swing it to go with something bigger like the Emotiva Airmotiv 4s.

 

[jrm27]

thanks for the input cel4145.
 
i think I found a bead on some cheap/used audioengine p4.  i think that if get those, and perhaps a t-amp, along with the dayton sub, I'll be a bit under $300 with a bit larger of a speaker.  I guess I could always use the volume knob on the t-amp as well, instead of what is built into my mac.  Does that make sense?
 
I love the look of those Airmotives (but I'm really trying to stretch my dollar) and I was looking at some offerings from Swan, but those dont seem to be available anywhere.  Thanks for the headsup on those Emotiva.
 
So, perhaps this?
 
http://audioengineusa.com/Store/Audioengine-P4
 
with this sub:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-627
 
and this little t-amp?
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=t+amp&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3At+amp
 
How do you think that would work out?  The p4 seem to be a larger speaker, but still not the size of an a5, or a reference monitor, so I may still save some room on the desk but keep some good sound?
 
-jon